Non-K versions: the game changes with Alder Lake?

Until then, it was easy to understand the difference between an Intel “K” and a “non-K” processor. Intel K and non-K processors were mainly distinguished by their overclocking potential: the first ones allowed it frankly and the second ones not really. It seems that with Alder Lake, Intel is going for another recipe… We will have to watch carefully this non-K Alder Lake range.

Some versions are close and others very different.

For the moment, the non-K versions of Alder Lake are not on the market. They should arrive at the beginning of the year, but there is something surprising that seems to take shape. Indeed, while the first leaks seemed to indicate that between a K and a non-K only the frequency and the unlocking would make the difference, recent leaks question. Warning: this article is based on several recent leaks (from reliable sources) but we have not had any official confirmation from Intel.

Fewer cores on the i5 and i3 not K?

Indeed, for the Core i5 and Core i3 non K, we could have processors without E-Core. This is at least what seems to reveal some tests. Intel would have developed two different configurations for the Alder Lake-S. The first one would have 8+8 cores and the other version would be equipped with 6+0 ( 6 cores P + 0 core E ). Another matrix seems to exist for the 12600K ( 6 cores P + 4 cores E ). Some configurations allow to give the i7-12700K ( 8 cores P + 4 cores E ), which could indicate that some cores are simply disabled.

Beware of the i5-12600, the false brother of the 12600K

So, on the top of the “non-K” range, there wouldn’t really be any bad surprises. The 12900 doesn’t lose much compared to its big brother 12900K. It has the same 8P + 8E core configuration, and it only loses 100 MHz in boosting its P-cores and 1 GHz on the base clock. It’s the same story with the 12700, except it loses 1.5 GHz on its base frequency. But the real concern is with the i5-12600, which has little to do with its big brother i5-12600K. If the latter has a 6P + 4E configuration, the 12600 loses its E-cores and is therefore with “only” 12 threads. In these conditions, we wonder about its interest in front of the 12400, except for the frequencies.

We will have to be careful with this reference but also observe the other references. Here is a comparative table with the differences between each version.